That's the warning from Fife Council leader, Peter Grant, who said the local authority was facing a reduction of £85 million in its spending power over the next five years.

The council has embarked on a series of 12 local consultation sessions across the Kingdom to give Fifers the chance to have their say on how the authority spends its budget.

Councillor Grant said: "Fife Council, like every other public body in Scotland, is facing the most difficult period of financial restraint any of us can remember.

"For councils and health boards the problem is made worse by the fact that we are also seeing a huge increase in the number of elderly people who are the main users of many of our services, with little or no chance that this will be matched by increased funding.

"As a result of the recession we expect to see a cut in our spending power of around £85 million over the next five years.

"I wish I could say we can make this size of saving without affecting services, but in my heart of hearts I know this is just not realistic.
"These are the hard facts we all need to face up to.

"I am encouraged by the fact that there is cross party agreement nationally at COSLA that councils need to be prepared to take decisions that none of us would have dreamed of before the recession struck.

"Before Fife Council takes these decisions we want to get the views of as many of our citizens as possible.

"This is why I again encourage people to come along to the drop-in budget consultation events or to take part in our on-line survey.

"This public engagement won't protect us from the need to take difficult decisions, but it will help us to take the correct decisions in difficult circumstances."

The online consultation form can be found at www.fifedirect.org.uk/councilbudget

The drop-in sessions in north east Fife will take place at the County Buildings, Cupar, on Monday, November 16, and St Andrews Town Hall on Friday, November 20, both from 3 p.m.-7 p.m.